What is it that lead you to conservatism or liberalism?

[mattskramer]

First I was Liberal (Democrat) because I thought it was great that they claimed to support sharing things (supposedly more so than do the Republicans). Then I realized that there may be lazy "do-nothing" citizens who would take advantage of the system and rely on government to take from others and give to those who are unwilling to earn any money.

As I grew, learned, and matured, I became a Conservative (Republican). Then I noticed how repressive they were toward individual personal activity. No to gambling, no to prostitution, no to pornography, no to homosexuality, no to drugs, no to objectionalbe music lyrics, no to this, and no to that. What happened to "less government regulation"?

One party wants to control my money. The other party wants to control my private life. So, I don't fully support either party. I consider myself an easygoing, live-and-let-live moderate Libertarian.

 

[pegwinn]

: Originally posted by rtwngAvngr
It just relates generally to the issue of whether or not even individuals with disease can have valuable, productive and fulfilling lives. If we determine they can then justifying abortion for extreme disease or deformity becomes harder, for me at least. That's how I understood his point.

Yes. ALso, I was unaware of pre-birth genetic testing for later diseases. Thats a scary thought. Imagine aborting a healthy baby to avoid a later illness. I honestly thought Mr. Hawkings was deformed at birth. HE was teh most obvious example of a lifelong (to my knowlege) issue that would've been a tragic loss if aborted under the deformity rule.

Yeah, I can see that. It just kinda seemed like apples and oranges to me.

For example (and yes this is true - not 'just' an example:

I have SLE - it can be a nasty, insideous pain in the ass of a disease. I was diagnosed at 15.
However, since I wasnt symptomatic or diagnosed till 15 years AFTER my birth.............see my point?

I think I see what she/he is trying to say....or even saying.
However, unless Im missing something, it apples and oranges.

But then again, Im not the brightest star in the sky yet today
(still not enough coffee)



(Btw, thank you to whomever made the ref to Dr Hawkings - that man rocks. I referenced him ALOT in my dissertation. Talk about a mind....WOW - he is just incredible!!!!)

FYI it's HE, I'm Phil, nice ta meetcha :teeth:
I was the reference for Doc Hawkings as said above.
I simply believe that abortion made easy will destory the potential of only God knows what.:

 

[5stringJeff]

I didn't get in on this thread before... sorry to resurrect it.

Anyway, I am a conservative Republican (in case you couldn't guess), but I do have a libertarian streak in me.

I am primarily an economic conservative. I believe that free-market capitalism is the best economic structure that a country could choose, as it tends to allow for social mobility more than the other economic systems (i.e. socialism). I believe that free trade with other countries helps both America and other countries reach economic equilibrium and efficiency, and should thus be promoted.

I believe that the role of the federal government is to portect the country, first and foremost, and so I consider a strong military the federal government's first priority. I believe that government entitlements create dependency, and so I support the minimal use of these programs. I believe that private organizations can do better than the federal gov't at providing social programs.

Socially, I am more libertarian than most social conservatives. I believe that the federal government should not regualte things like gambling, sexual acts, etc. However, I believe that these are valid areas for states and localities to legislate. I believe that marijuana should be legalized and regulated similarly to tobacco and alcohol. I am pro-life, and while that is the largest plank in the Conservative Christian movement, I have never identified with the conservative Christian movement.

 

[rtwngAvngr]

Originally posted by gop_jeff
I am pro-life, and while that is the largest plank in the Conservative Christian movement, I have never identified with the conservative Christian movement. [/B]

Of course not, what would you friends say? Just kidding.

 

[Gop guy]

Well I am a part of that movement.

 

[5stringJeff]

Originally posted by Gop guy
Well I am a part of that movement.

That's fine. But I'm more of an economic conservative than a social conservative. I am all for convincing people, based on matters of faith, that they should behave in a certain way.

 

[mattskramer]

GOP_Jeff - Wow. Based solely on how you describe your sociopolitical philosophy in your recent post, we think alike.

 

[dilloduck]

Never even gave a damn about politics until I worked in a hospital in Okinawa in '68. Saw more injured troops than a 17 year old outta. I was literally chicken to go to Nam and morally opposed to it. I also knew that if I was drafted that I would feel morally obligated to serve because my fellow Americans had sacrificed for me and I will never take that lightly. I became politically active to save my own ass from going to Nam and just by chance Nixon was the commander in chief so I began to lean toward the democrats. My career took me into the "helping" profession and after years of watching people suck off the same system they bitched about the words " personal responsibilty" became powerful and I realized that these fit nicely with those who slanted to the right. I was raised Lutheran but dont think that came into play in making political decisions but did give a concept of what people were talking about when the abortion issue came into play. I stay conservative ironically to stay safe also. I just dont trust a liberal with my life, welfare or freedoms. The religious right would like to relieve me of some liberties that I appreciate but I trust that the rest of the conservatives will balance them out Did I help answer your original question?

 

[5stringJeff]

Originally posted by mattskramer
GOP_Jeff - Wow. Based solely on how you describe your sociopolitical philosophy in your recent post, we think alike.

Well here's to economic conservatism and social libertarianism!

 

[DKSuddeth]

Originally posted by gop_jeff
That's fine. But I'm more of an economic conservative than a social conservative. I am all for convincing people, based on matters of faith, that they should behave in a certain way.

I have this vision of Jeff doing the Mel Brooks version of 'the inquisition' from history of the world part 1